LocationsFor more than two decades, UNDP and Nepal's National Human Rights Commission have worked together to strengthen institutions, expand access to justice, and ensure that human rights protections reach those who need them most.
From foundations to impact: Supporting Nepal’s human rights system
July 23, 2026
Photo: NHRC
When Nepal's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established in 2000 as the statutory body, the country was navigating a period of profound political uncertainty and conflict. As a newly created institution, the Commission faced significant challenges, including limited technical capacity, scarce resources, huge public expectations due to ongoing conflict and the difficult task of building public confidence while carrying out its mandate.
Photo: NHRC
Recognizing the importance of strong and independent human rights institutions (NHRIs), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partnered with the NHRC from its earliest days. Initial support focused on developing the legal and institutional foundations needed for the Commission to operate effectively, including strategic planning, human rights protection mechanisms, and capacity development for commissioners and staff.
Twenty-five years later, that partnership has contributed to the growth of one of Nepal's most important constitutional institutions.
Photo: UNDP Nepal
Today, the NHRC is a constitutionally recognized body under Nepal's 2015 Constitution, with a broad mandate to monitor, investigate, and promote human rights across the country. What began as an institution facing considerable operational constraints has evolved into a national mechanism with strengthened investigative capacity, expanded outreach, and a growing body of evidence informing human rights discourse and policymaking.
Over the years, UNDP's support has helped strengthen the Commission's ability to investigate, monitor, and document human rights cases. Investments in infrastructure, organizational structures, equipment, knowledge systems, building outreach and institutional capacity have enabled the NHRC to expand its reach through central and regional offices and improve services for people seeking support and redress.
Photo: NHRC
The Commission's contribution to Nepal's human rights landscape is perhaps most visible through its extensive body of work. Its annual human rights reports—now in their 24th edition and regularly submitted to Parliament—along with thematic studies on issues such as gender-based violence and conflict-era violations, have become important references for policymakers, civil society organizations, and development partners.
A powerful reflection of this journey can be found in the public library housed within the Commission's headquarters in Lalitpur. The archive documents more than two decades of efforts to protect the rights of ordinary Nepalis and serves as a reminder of how far the country's human rights system has come.
Photo: NHRC
Beyond institutional strengthening, the partnership has contributed to expanding access to justice, particularly for women, marginalized communities, and vulnerable groups.
Legal reforms in line with international human rights standards have been a key area of engagement. Technical support and advocacy efforts have helped strengthen Nepal's legal framework, including reforms that extended the statute of limitations for reporting adult rape cases from one year to two years, improving access to justice for survivors of sexual violence.
Broader legislative and judicial reform has been a cornerstone of UNDP’s work in Nepal since 2002. Foundational efforts included technical support and stakeholder engagement for the adoption of the Mediation Act in 2011. To operationalize this law, UNDP helped design a dedicated 40-hour training course, preparing a roster of 1,000 mediation experts. Support was also provided to introduce Justice Sector Coordination Committees through court rules and regulations.
Photo: NHRC
Building on this groundwork, UNDP provided technical and legal support for the development and implementation of more than 100 laws, policies, and procedures following the adoption of Nepal's 2015 Constitution. Among the most landmark achievements was the adoption of the National Civil Code (Muluki Ain) and procedure, the Criminal Code and penal procedures, and the Sentencing Act in 2018. This departure from the old Muluki Ain to the new codes fundamentally contributed to modernizing Nepal's legal system and aligning it with international human rights standards.
Beyond individual legal aid, grassroots legal awareness programmes reached over 78,570 people, equipping communities to better understand and navigate their legal rights. To ensure the system could meet this empowered demand, capacity-building initiatives engaged over 4,100 justice sector actors, ranging from police and government attorneys to judges and private lawyers. This included targeted support for newly formed local Judicial Committees. By developing standard guidelines and comprehensive training manuals for officials associated with these committees, the partnership helped build a more inclusive, capable, and responsive justice system directly at the grassroots level.
Photo: NHRC
Efforts to expand access to justice have also embraced innovation. Digital justice initiatives, including the introduction of virtual court systems, have made legal processes more accessible and efficient while reinforcing the principle of timely justice. Gender-responsive court procedures have further helped survivors of sexual and gender-based violence navigate legal processes with greater dignity and support.
Between 2018 and 2022 alone, approximately 250,000 vulnerable women and men benefited from free legal aid services. Earlier initiatives like Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights Protection System in Nepal, supporting rule of law and human rights protection reached communities across 225 municipalities in 24 districts, helping women and disadvantaged groups gain greater access to legal services and justice mechanisms.
Photo: NHRC
These achievements have been made possible through collaboration across Nepal's human rights ecosystem. Government institutions, including the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Office of the Attorney General, the NHRC, the National Dalit Commission, and the National Women Commission, have worked alongside courts, law enforcement agencies, legal professionals, civil society organizations, and development partners to advance human rights protections throughout the country.
Their collective efforts demonstrate an important truth: protecting human rights cannot be the responsibility of any single institution. It requires sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and the participation of society as a whole.
Photo: NHRC
As Nepal continues to strengthen democratic governance and uphold constitutional rights, the foundations laid over the past 25 years provide a strong platform for the future. Through its longstanding partnership with national institutions, UNDP remains committed to supporting efforts that ensure justice, dignity, and equal rights for all people in Nepal.
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